Germany’s federal drug commissioner, Hendrik Streeck, is advocating for stricter regulations regarding the sale of vaping products and medical cannabis. He has voiced particular concern over flavored vapes marketed towards young people, describing flavors designed to appeal to children as “scandalous”. Streeck intends to push for a prohibition on such products, openly inviting opposition arguments.
Beyond vaping, Streeck is also calling for a review of the country’s cannabis regulations, emphasizing the need for a more cohesive and stringent legal framework following recent legalization efforts. He specifically highlighted concerns regarding the misuse of prescriptions for medical cannabis and intends to evaluate the current system based on data collected post-legalization.
A key focus of his proposed changes centers on the form in which medical cannabis is prescribed. Streeck is advocating for a ban on the prescription of cannabis flower, arguing that the variable THC content in flower form makes accurate dosage difficult and increases the risk of misuse. He indicated an 80% increase in the sale of cannabis flower suggests a shift from legitimate medical need to recreational use.
Streeck emphasized that while capsules and drops offer consistent and medically sound dosages, the fluctuating potency of flower introduces significant risks. He believes the current system, where online pharmacies can facilitate easy access to medical cannabis prescriptions, is concerning and would not be tolerated with other medications. He maintains that the established principles of diagnosis, prescription and controlled dispensing should apply equally to cannabis, advocating for a return to more standardized and medically supervised forms of administration like capsules and drops.